Against the Light - Chapter 76
Chapter 76: Swoosh—
In the car, Gu Xinran propped her chin on her hand, sulking. She turned to look out the window, but her peripheral vision kept stealing glances at Yilan. The woman seemed completely unaware that she was upset, which… made her genuinely upset.
Bai Yilan had long since noticed the other woman sneaking peeks at her. She deliberately feigned ignorance, and seeing Gu Xinran's pouty expression, she had to suppress a laugh.
As the car actually drove into the film base, Gu Xinran frowned. "Are you really going to film? Did you accept a new script?"
"Mhm," Bai Yilan replied noncommittally as she opened the door and got out.
Gu Xinran immediately followed.
The two of them walked all the way to the soundstage for Never Parting. No new crew had moved in yet, so the studio was empty. All the sets had been dismantled, leaving it cold and deserted.
Bai Yilan wandered around for a bit before turning and entering the dressing room.
Gu Xinran was feeling sentimental when she suddenly heard Yilan's cry of surprise. Startled, she immediately rushed into the dressing room.
"Surprise—!"
"??"
Seeing the small room packed with forty or fifty people, Gu Xinran was dumbfounded.
Yu Hua and the members of Yilan's crew all had joyful expressions, greeting Gu Xinran with wide smiles.
Qin Qiong, Lin Guo, and the other main cast members were also present.
Yu Hua was sitting cross-legged on a table like a great Buddha, a sullen look on her face that stood in stark contrast to everyone else.
Bai Yilan glanced at her and chuckled softly. "They wanted to give you a surprise and had me trick you into coming. They wouldn't let me tell you beforehand."
Gu Xinran shot her a look. No wonder this woman deliberately didn't try to cheer me up!
"Alright, the guest of honor is here! Everyone, let's get ready!" Jin Shuang called out, and the crowd immediately dispersed to enthusiastically prepare for the celebration banquet.
"What's wrong with Teacher Yu?" Noticing Yu Hua's low spirits, Gu Xinran didn't dare approach her. Instead, she called Lin Guo over to ask.
"Ugh, don't even mention it. You haven't seen Weibo, have you? Her portrayal of the King of Yue got torn apart by critics. She lost a ton of followers, and some people are saying there's no way she's that cute old lady who clutches her phone and squeals. So, she's upset."
"…" Gu Xinran subconsciously rubbed her nose. Well, she really isn't…
Lin Guo's eyes darted around, and she pulled Gu Xinran aside. "Sister Ran, last time you were drunk, was it Sister Lan who took you home? Have you two… made any progress?"
"Exactly. We've been waiting for you two to remarry for so long the flowers have wilted. You already confessed to her in front of everyone at the awards ceremony, so why hasn't there been any movement since?" Qin Qiong added.
Gu Xinran pursed her lips and smiled softly, glancing over at Yilan. She was currently trying to console the fuming old lady, the corners of her eyes crinkling with her smile. She looked so beautiful.
Seeing that Yilan was clearly struggling to handle the situation, Gu Xinran quickly went over to help rescue her.
Lin Guo stood with her hands on her hips, watching the two of them. With Sister Ran being this timid, when is she ever going to propose?
"This won't do. It's time for me to step in."
"?? What?" Qin Qiong glanced at her, and her eyes landed on the wine bottle Bai Yilan was toying with in her hand. Her eyelid twitched.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Hmph, her dawdling like this is getting us nowhere. Qin Qiong, you have to help me. Later, we'll find a chance and pour that entire bottle of red wine down Sister Ran's throat. I refuse to believe this wine won't give her some liquid courage!" Lin Guo rolled up her sleeves, her smile growing increasingly devious.
"???"
"You, you—calm down! Calm down!!" Qin Qiong quickly grabbed her hand. Who knows whose life will be on the line if you pour a whole bottle down her throat!
"Congratulations, Sister Ran! Here's to Never Parting breaking box office records!" Everyone raised their glasses in a toast.
Gu Xinran smiled and, under Yilan's supervision, poured herself a glass of orange juice to clink with everyone else.
"Sister Ran, that's not very sincere!" Lin Guo immediately challenged. After speaking, she nudged Qin Qiong.
"Ah, right, right. Not sincere." However, as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a sharp gaze fixed on her. She turned her head and saw it was Director Bai…
She immediately lowered her head, avoiding Yilan's gaze.
"Don't be a coward!" Guozi muttered under her breath.
"Sister Ran, come here~" Seeing everyone happily chatting in small groups, Lin Guo decided the time was right. She sneakily sidled up to Gu Xinran and tugged on her sleeve.
"Xinran." The two had just taken a step when they heard Bai Yilan's slightly languid voice.
Lin Guo's eyelid twitched. She looked up and saw Director Bai resting her cheek on one hand, a smile in her eyes as she beckoned to Gu Xinran with a finger. Her gaze was captivating, her voice like a fragrant orchid. "You are not to leave my line of sight," she commanded domineeringly.
Gu Xinran burst out laughing. "Alright, boss."
After agreeing, Gu Xinran walked to Yilan's side and stood guard by her like a bodyguard, looking extremely obedient.
Bai Yilan was very pleased. She glanced at her and raised her wine glass. "Come closer," she said, deliberately putting on an air.
Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Is this woman getting into character?
Not daring to delay, she immediately leaned in close to her lips.
"If you dare to drink, I'll tie you to the sofa tonight. Don't even think about getting into bed," she whispered, her fingertip playfully tracing Gu Xinran's earlobe as a soft warning.
Gu Xinran was instantly reminded of her drunken antics last time. Suppressing a laugh, she bowed slightly. "As you command!"
Undeterred by her initial defeat, Lin Guo waved her hand, and the matchmaking squad quickly assembled.
"Since Sister Ran is too whipped to drink, then let's go get Sister Lan drunk. I refuse to believe she can hold her liquor that well!"
The group immediately accepted their mission and set off.
One after another, people went up to Bai Yilan with all sorts of excuses to toast her. Bai Yilan was magnanimous, accepting every challenge and downing glass after glass.
Gu Xinran watched from the side, frowning. She tried to intervene, but Bai Yilan stopped her with a look.
She narrowed her eyes, studying Yilan's appearance. After seven or eight glasses of red wine, her expression hadn't changed, and her eyes were still clear, showing no signs of intoxication. Gu Xinran was a little surprised. Could she really be immune to alcohol?
Before long, the matchmaking squad was defeated once again.
Lin Guo could barely stand, leaning against Qin Qiong. "I… I refush… to believe it! Matchmaking shquad, charge… for me!"
"…" Qin Qiong rolled her eyes. This girl's tongue is already drunk!!!
"That's strange. It shouldn't be. I've known Sister Lan for so many years. Her tolerance is decent, but not to the point where she can down a bottle without showing any signs of being drunk!" Jin Shuang frowned, feeling that something wasn't right. Isn't she drinking a little too easily?
Even Yu Hua, who was watching the fun from the side, was shocked by Yilan's drinking capacity.
"When did you become such a good drinker?" Yu Hua asked.
Bai Yilan smiled faintly, glanced left and right, and handed the wine bottle beside her to Yu Hua.
Yu Hua leaned in to sniff it, paused, and then sniffed it again carefully.
"I knew someone was up to no good, so I replaced the wine in here with a soft drink," Bai Yilan said with a raised eyebrow, looking rather pleased with herself.
Yu Hua looked at her with amazement and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Tsk, pretty impressive."
Hearing this, Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. To quote Teacher Yu, that was pretty impressive!
"Jin Shuang, you all fell for it! She's drinking a soft drink!" Yu Hua announced with her hands clasped behind her back, selling Bai Yilan out with a single shout.
"???" Bai Yilan was stunned. "Teacher??"
"You two ganged up to ruin my reputation. What did you expect?"
"Whoa! Sister Lan cheated? We can't let this stand!!!"
A group of people charged over with a roar, immediately surrounding Bai Yilan.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's enough…" Gu Xinran started to intervene but was pulled away by Jin Shuang and Qin Qiong, who threatened to pour wine down her throat!
With Yu Hua presiding over the chaos, the group let loose and had a wild time.
Bai Yilan couldn't fend them off and had to drink three glasses as a penalty before the crowd finally relented.
"Alright, that's enough from you all. Don't get too crazy," Yu Hua said with a wave of her hand, and the group immediately and obediently dispersed.
Bai Yilan casually rubbed her forehead, her peripheral vision catching Xinran looking at her with a worried expression.
"Yilan? Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm fine. Do you think I'm like you, knocked out after one glass?"
"…" Gu Xinran pouted. Can we please not bring that up?
Gu Xinran tilted her head to carefully examine her expression. Aside from a slight flush on her cheeks and the faint smell of alcohol, she really did seem fine.
Tsk, truly impressive!
"Let's go. It's getting late. Time to go home," Bai Yilan said, waving to the others.
"Don't go, Sister Lan!"
"If I stay any longer, you guys will definitely get me drunk. I'm not staying. Xinran, let's go."
"Okay, coming." Bodyguard Gu immediately followed, bidding farewell to the group and telling Yu Hua and the others that they would meet up again next time.
The two left the soundstage and walked towards the parking lot.
The sky had completely darkened. A bright moon hung high among countless twinkling stars. A warm breeze caressed their faces as Gu Xinran held Yilan's hand, the two of them strolling slowly down an old street.
"Yilan, I never knew you could drink so well," Gu Xinran praised sincerely. She remembered that in her past life, Yilan was a lightweight who would be knocked out by a single glass. In this life, she was the one who couldn't hold her liquor. It was truly a strange twist of fate.
"Of course. Don't you know who I am?" Bai Yilan said proudly. She looked up and shielded her eyes with her hand. "Ugh, why is the sun so bright? It's blinding…"
Gu Xinran was smiling, but she suddenly felt that something was wrong.
The sun? Bright?? Blinding???
??
"Yi-Yilan?" Gu Xinran was completely bewildered.
"Are you… drunk?"
"No." Bai Yilan turned to look at her, her eyes crinkling into beautiful crescents. However, her once-clear pupils now held a trace of haze. The corners of her eyes tilted up, her gaze shimmering with a seductive charm.
Yilan slowly raised a hand to cup Xinran's chin, her gesture full of playful provocation~
Gu Xinran's heart fluttered. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had never seen this side of Yilan, not in her past life or this one!!
Gu Xinran took two steps forward to support Yilan's arm and guided her back to the car.
Yilan leaned against the car door with her eyes closed, one hand pressed to her forehead, looking a little unwell.
Gu Xinran frowned deeply. She helped fasten her seatbelt and was just about to start the car when she heard Yilan whimper.
"What's wrong?" Gu Xinran pressed close to her, rubbing her head and asking softly.
"Xiao Ye…"
Gu Xinran sighed inwardly. "Do you miss Xiao Ye?"
"Mhm…"
"Xiao Ye… your mom is too slow. She still hasn't proposed after all this time…"
"???" Gu Xinran froze. What?
"By the time you're born, I'll be old. I won't be able to pretend I'm your big sister, wah…" Bai Yilan whimpered softly, her voice soft and sticky, a complete departure from her usual cool and composed self!
"???"
Gu Xinran covered her forehead, nearly bursting into laughter. Is this woman spilling the truth after a drink?
Normally so cool and aloof, she'd glare and warn you sternly for the slightest bit of teasing. But one drink, and her true colors come out?
"Ahem." Gu Xinran coughed lightly, unable to hold back her laughter.
"Then let's go home right now and… make… make Xiao Ye??" Why does that sound so… creepy??
"Mhm… let's make a few more."
"Pfft—"
Gu Xinran covered her face and laughed to herself for a long time. This silly wife of mine. I wonder if she'll even remember what she said tomorrow when she wakes up. Making a few more Xiao Yes, that's hilarious!
An idea struck Gu Xinran. She took out her phone, found the voice recorder, and turned it on, ready to capture Yilan's next shocking statement.
Just as she finished, she sensed something was off. She turned her head to see Yilan staring at her with a sharp, displeased expression.
"???"
"What are you doing?" Even her voice had returned to its usual coolness.
"N-nothing. Just getting ready to… drive home." Gu Xinran quickly hid her phone, feeling a little guilty.
This woman? She's sober? That was way too fast, wasn't it?
Just as Gu Xinran was panicking, she saw Bai Yilan gently stroke her own abdomen.
"Xiao Ye, look, your mom is such a coward… Don't you ever be like her. Be like me, understand…" Bai Yilan said, looking at her stomach with a smile. Her voice grew softer and softer until it was just a quiet hum. Finally, her head tilted to the side, and she fell asleep, leaning against the car window.
"???"
Bai Yilan, you're done for. You're so done for!
It's because Xiao Ye is just like you, a little softie, that she's completely wrapped around Lin Yuqing's finger!
:)
The car came to a slow stop in the underground parking garage. Gu Xinran glanced at Yilan, who was sleeping soundly, one hand still resting on her abdomen.
Gu Xinran got out, walked around to the passenger side, unbuckled her seatbelt, and wrapped an arm around her. With one hand supporting the back of her knees, she lifted her up. Yilan was quite thin, so carrying her wasn't too difficult.
Bai Yilan subconsciously wrapped her arms around her neck and nuzzled her face into the crook of her neck, letting out a soft hum. The sound nearly melted Gu Xinran's heart. She rubbed her chin against Yilan's forehead. "Shh, we're home."
Bai Yilan's apartment.
Gu Xinran pushed the door open, carried Yilan inside, and placed her on the sofa. She tugged at her collar to cool down, thinking about the last time she was drunk. Yilan must have been exhausted carrying her back then, too.
She sat on the floor, her elbows propped on the sofa, gazing at Yilan's sleeping face. She gently brushed her finger against the tip of her nose.
Yilan frowned and turned her head away.
Gu Xinran chuckled softly and brushed her earlobe instead.
"Mmm…" Bai Yilan hummed, swatting her hand away. She cracked open her eyelids and shot her a look full of disdain.
"Who were you calling a coward just now?" Gu Xinran asked with a smile.
Bai Yilan didn't answer. She just turned over and curled up, her back facing her.
Gu Xinran knelt beside the sofa, buried her face in the crook of Yilan's neck, and gently kissed her snow-white skin. Her other hand came to rest on her abdomen, and she couldn't help but feel her cheeks flush.
"Mmm…" Bai Yilan tilted her head back, seeming to enjoy the sensation of kisses on her neck. The corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.
Gu Xinran smiled softly, lifted her up, and carried her into the bathroom.
She helped her undress and placed her in the bathtub.
Her body felt boneless as she leaned against Gu Xinran's chest, her warm breath fanning across her neck. With such a soft body in her arms, Gu Xinran had to take several deep breaths to suppress the stirring in her heart.
Gu Xinran scooped up a handful of water and let it trickle over her shoulder, watching the droplets slide down her smooth skin with a deep sense of satisfaction.
"Mom…"
"Hm? What?" Gu Xinran was focused on bathing her and didn't quite catch what she had mumbled. She quickly stopped what she was doing and turned off the shower. "Yilan? What did you just say?"
"Home…"
Gu Xinran's brow furrowed, and her heart trembled.
She pulled Yilan into a tight embrace, one hand stroking her smooth back, the other lovingly ruffling her hair.
"You will have one. You will."
"We'll have a happy home. It doesn't need to be big, but it must be warm. We'll have a few extra rooms so we can occasionally have friends stay over."
"It will have a big yard, filled with the orchids you love."
"There will be a swing in the yard. You'll sit on it, and I'll push you. Together, we'll watch the flowers bloom and fall."
"We'll go out with the morning sun and return with the setting sun, strolling through the mountains, carefree and at ease."
"You love to film, so I'll build a studio for you in the yard, complete with all kinds of equipment. You can direct, and I'll act. However you want to shoot, that's how I'll perform."
"We'll have Xiao Ye. We'll watch her grow up together, watch her learn to talk, watch her run all over the place, watch her experience her first crush, and watch her start her own family."
"When she's older, you can even pretend to be her big sister and go shopping with her," Gu Xinran said with a soft laugh.
"And we'll watch Xiao Ye find her own love and build her own home."
After she finished speaking, Gu Xinran fell silent, her eyes welling up.
At some point, Bai Yilan had woken up. Listening to her description, her eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "Okay."
Gu Xinran was taken aback. She straightened up to look at her.
Their eyes met, and they held each other's gaze for a long time.
"Yilan?"
"Hm?"
Gu Xinran paused for a moment, then held up two fingers. "How many is this?"
Bai Yilan chuckled and pushed her hand down. "You're so silly."
"…" Yep, she's sober.
Gu Xinran helplessly ruffled her hair. "Your alcohol tolerance isn't that great after all. Don't try to act tough next time." After saying that, she skillfully scooped up another handful of water and poured it over her.
The smile on Bai Yilan's lips froze. Her entire body went rigid. Her gaze drifted downwards, and she realized she was sitting… stark naked… in the bathtub!??
"What's wrong?" Gu Xinran turned on the showerhead and aimed it at her. "Is the water temperature okay?"
"…" Bai Yilan's throat bobbed. Her face instantly turned crimson. No, not just her face—her neck, her chest, the tips of her ears—everything was coated in a layer of pink!
Gu Xinran watched her change color and thought the water was too hot. She quickly moved the showerhead away. "It's not that hot…" she muttered to herself, testing the temperature.
Bai Yilan took a deep breath. "Get… out!!!"
"Eh?" Gu Xinran looked down and saw her curled up, her hands crossed over her chest, hugging herself tightly. She was stunned for a moment, but when she saw her flushed cheeks, she instantly understood and couldn't help but chuckle. Oh, so she knows how to be shy?
"Oh? What happened to the you who was teasing me just now?" Gu Xinran squatted down, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and blinked at her with an innocent smile.
"? When did I… You get out first!" Bai Yilan turned her head away, feeling utterly ashamed under her scorching gaze. Her face was so red it looked like it might bleed, which made Gu Xinran's heart pound and her desire to tease her even stronger.
"Here." Gu Xinran tilted her head, offering her cheek.
The meaning couldn't be clearer: she wouldn't be obedient without a kiss from her wife!
"You… don't you… go too far," Bai Yilan huffed at her.
"In that case… I'll take a bath too." Gu Xinran stood up and started to unbutton her shirt. After two buttons, her delicate collarbones were faintly visible.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Bai Yilan hastily stopped her. She reached out to grab her but quickly retracted her hand to cover her own chest~
Gu Xinran smiled triumphantly and leaned in. "Hm?"
"You old lecher…" Bai Yilan pouted and shot her a glare. With utmost reluctance, she leaned over and pecked her on the cheek.
"There, satisfied?"
"Of course not!"
"???"
Seeing Gu Xinran's righteous reply, Bai Yilan was both embarrassed and angry. She wanted to roll up her sleeves, only to realize she didn't have any!
"You… don't take advantage of my situation!"
"Take advantage of your situation? When you were barely conscious earlier, I didn't lay a finger on you. Now I'm just asking for a little kiss, and that's taking advantage?" Gu Xinran said, crossing her arms and patiently reasoning with her.
Bai Yilan was at a loss for words, her pink lips parting and closing, unable to form a retort.
Gu Xinran watched her with smiling eyes. Seeing her so composed, she couldn't help but remember how she had teased her while drunk. What a pity she hadn't recorded it!
"Here, let me show you what it really means to take advantage of someone's situation." After speaking, Gu Xinran rolled up her sleeves, leaned down, and lifted her straight out of the tub. She sat down on the toilet and placed Yilan on her lap, looking at her with a grin.
Bai Yilan let out a small cry, her hands flailing, not knowing what to cover. She was completely flustered.
Gu Xinran laughed heartily and gave her a playful wink. "Alright, what part of you haven't I seen? What's there to be shy about?"
Bai Yilan felt so mortified under her gaze that she buried her face in her chest, wishing she could just die on the spot.
"Hm? What happened to the you who was clamoring to make a few more Xiao Yes with me?"
"Shut up!" Bai Yilan growled.
Gu Xinran roared with laughter. My wife is so cute when she's flustered!
"Gu Xinran! You… don't push your luck, you… mmph!" A slight pain on her lips interrupted her as Gu Xinran captured them and bit down gently.
Bai Yilan pressed her lips together, looking at her resentfully.
"Didn't I tell you not to give me a taste of something sweet?" Gu Xinran's eyes curved into crescents, her smile exceptionally beautiful. It was a heart-melting smile that Bai Yilan was completely powerless against. She could only manage a low hiss, "You scoundrel!"
Gu Xinran took her hand, their fingers intertwining. Their lips and tongues met, becoming one, no longer separate.
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